Experts are concerned for regions like Houston and the Permian Basin, which might feel the economic effects not only of the pandemic, but also of the low price of oil.
Juan Pablo Garnham
Juan Pablo Garnham covered urban affairs for the Tribune in 2019-21, focusing on the main challenges of the state’s largest metro areas — Houston, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso and Dallas-Fort Worth, where he was based. He previously worked as senior producer for the podcast In The Thick, editor of CityLab Latino and city hall reporter for El Diario in New York. He has also taught at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. He is from Santiago, Chile, and the Texas flag constantly reminds him of his home country.
Posted in
Politics
Local governments, already hard hit by the coronavirus, are facing a fresh budget threat: economic recession
Cities are projecting decreases in sales tax revenue, one of their most important financial sources. How bad the losses are — and what will have to be cut — depends on how long the pandemic lasts.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Houston has a new drive-through coronavirus test site, but three others can’t open due to shortages
Mayor Sylvester Turner said a lack of personal protective equipment for health workers is one reason three sites in Houston and Harris County can’t open yet. Long lines formed at the one that did.
Posted in
Transportation
Texas transit agencies are still getting front-line responders and low-income Texans to work. But service may change as the crisis continues.
Leaders in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio areas are already analyzing how fewer fares and drops in sales tax will affect them.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
U.S. Reps. Kay Granger and Henry Cuellar claim victory in congressional primary races
Cuellar faced a challenge from attorney Jessica Cisneros, while Granger defeated former Colleyville City Council member Chris Putnam.
Posted in
Transportation
To fight huge drop in bus riders, North Texas transit agency faces hard choices about who gets service
The new bus layout coming in 2022 might bring more service to high-demand areas, but it could also modify routes that serve people at their doorsteps.
Posted in
Blocked Out
More Texas renters are struggling to find affordable housing, new report finds
Experts say that as more high-income Texans rent, prices on existing homes are driven up. Meanwhile, the number of expensive units in the state is increasing as more affordable homes disappear.
Posted in
Homeless in Texas
Muddy shoes and difficult questions: How volunteers are counting the number of homeless Texans
Hundreds of people walked the streets of Dallas on Thursday to count how many homeless residents live in the area. Similar counts are planned in other cities this month. The results will be key to finding solutions for vulnerable Texans.
Posted in
Blocked Out
In San Antonio, rent is rising but wages aren’t
The city already has some of the worst poverty and segregation rates in the country. Now increasing rents are leaving low-income households struggling to keep up with the cost of living.
Posted in
Homeless in Texas
Greg Abbott blames another stabbing on Austin’s homeless policies and ramps up DPS patrols
The Texas governor said DPS will place additional patrols within two blocks of state buildings downtown and around the University of Texas.
